About The Program
Whether you aspire to lead in K-12 schools, higher education or educational policy, our highly individualized program and unique curriculum empower you to balance professional development with your current responsibilities, tailoring your learning experiences to fit your unique career goals and personal commitments. You will explore essential leadership theory and practice through participation in a rigorous core course of study emphasizing equity and social justice, complemented by individualized course options. The program includes 15 credit hours in required courses and 15 credit hours in a concentrated series of interdisciplinary electives chosen with approval of your advisor. Our program not only equips you with essential leadership skills but also respects your individual journey towards making a meaningful impact in education.
Career Paths
- Nonprofit program manager
- Community engagement coordinator
- Community outreach coordinator in nonprofit organizations
- Public relations specialist
- Government and policy analyst
- Corporate training and development specialist
- Healthcare administrator or patient advocate
At a Glance
Degree Earned
Master's in Education (M.Ed.)
Credits: 30
Application Semesters and Deadlines
Fall: April 1
Spring: November 1
Summer: March 1
Program Modality
Online and in-person*
*A minimum number of students is required to administer an in-person cohort.
Estimated Completion Time
Full-time (9-15 credits): average completion in 3 semesters
Part-time (1-8 credits): average completion in 5 semesters
“This program gave me the confidence and tools to be successful as a student affairs professional. I'm so satisfied that I'm pursuing my Ed.D. in Educational Leadership here as well.”
Ra'meer Roberts, M.Ed., '20
Admission requirements
| Degree: | Semester(s) of entry: | Deadline dates: | Test requirements: |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Ed. | Fall | Apr 1 | |
| Spring | Nov 1 | ||
| Summer | Mar 1 |
In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, the following requirements represent the minimum acceptable standards for admission:
- Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate discipline
- Two letters of recommendation addressing the student’s potential for graduate study in education
- Statement of intent
- Transcripts of all previous college work
Please visit the School of Education website for further information.
Degree requirements
In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students are required to complete course work in core and elective courses.
- Credit hour requirements: Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours.
- Grade requirements: Receipt of a grade of C or below in two courses constitutes automatic dismissal from the program. Courses with a grade below C cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements.
Curriculum requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses | ||
| ADMS 618 ADMS 618. Leadership for Change and Improvement. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Students will reflect on the past, critically review current reality in schools or organizations and creatively predict the nature of schooling or organizational effectiveness in the future in light of the responsive role of the leader. Other constructs presented include change as an educational or organizational paradigm, the use of data to inform changes for improvement, and the leader as a change agent. In addition, students will assess their school or organization for change readiness. | Leadership for Change and Improvement | 3 |
| ADMS 622 ADMS 622. Understanding Diversity and Leading for Social Justice. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. In this course, participants will engage in conversations related to diversity in schools or organizations. Students will explore the critical role of education or organizational leadership in a rapidly changing democratic society. Participants will reflect on how culture impacts leadership beliefs and practice as well as explore strategies for establishing equitable environments that support the needs of all stakeholders. | Understanding Diversity and Leading for Social Justice | 3 |
| ADMS 630 ADMS 630. Understanding and Engaging School Communities. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Students will explore the broad social, economic, political and demographic shifts that have transformed metropolitan schools and communities over the past half century. Based on a deeper understanding of the complex forces that influence society and democracy, students will develop leadership skills that focus on building relationships and communicating effectively with internal and external schools and/or communities. | Understanding and Engaging School Communities | 3 |
| ADMS 633 ADMS 633. Multiple Dimensions of Leadership. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. This course provides participants with the opportunity to understand their own unique beliefs and dispositions regarding leadership as well as to understand the roles and responsibilities of leaders, including the ethical dimensions of leadership. Various leadership models and theories are presented and explored. | Multiple Dimensions of Leadership | 3 |
| EDUS 660 EDUS 660. Research Methods in Education. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, hybrid or face-to-face). 3 credits. Designed to provide an introductory understanding of educational research and evaluation studies. Emphasizes fundamental concepts, procedures and processes appropriate for use in basic, applied and developmental research. Includes developing skills in critical analysis of research studies. Analyzes the assumptions, uses and limitations of different research designs. Explores methodological and ethical issues of educational research. Students either conduct or design a study in their area of educational specialization. | Research Methods in Education | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Any planned, concentrated series of courses from ADLT, ADMS, EDUS, PADM, SEDP and TEDU designed by student or student group and adviser to meet the needs of student or student group | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 30.
The VCU Bulletin is the official source for academic course and program information.